Uncertain future awaits Hong Kong graduates in a world battling coronavirus and recession
- Few bright spots for hiring, even internships dry up as city deals with impact of pandemic
- Amid gloom, government scheme creating thousands of temporary positions offers a silver lining
This is the third instalment of a five-part series in which the Post takes a look at unemployment in Hong Kong, as the city grapples with the aftermath of the months-long civil unrest and the pandemic. You can read parts part one here, two here and four here.
Although much looks bleak, from the city’s weak economic outlook to the shortage of openings for fresh graduates and internships for those looking for temporary work, there is a silver lining.
The government is pressing ahead to create thousands of temporary jobs, some companies and sectors are still hiring, and universities are helping their students to find work, including by calling on alumni to provide a leg up to this year’s graduates.
One of the rare jobseekers to land a plum job this year is Daniel Cheung, 22, a computer science graduate from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
An alumnus of his university working at a European investment bank recommended him, and he was hired as a technical analyst. He started in August at HK$40,000 (US$5,160) a month, at least twice the average pay of a fresh graduate.